Spousal Support - Short Marriage no children

[jkru23]

Hi All,

I am new here and am a little confused about the simple calculation of SS. I think it was posted as "It is a simple calculation. 1.5% - 2% of gross income * years in marriage * difference in gross income / 12 = monthly spousal support.

I found an example online that had a 60K difference and a 20 year marriage and the support being $1500 a month. But when i do it for a much shorter period of 2.5 years I get 5% which seems pretty low. Using the same diff in income at 5% is $3000 a year or $250 a month. Is that correct?

 

[NBDad]

There is software called "Divorcemate" which does the calculations and takes into consideration everything if done properly, then spits out a range. A lawyer would have access to this and could give you a general idea....I believe one of the members here also has it and is well versed in it's use, so ask around.

Napkin math...spousal should bring the party in receipt of it, somewhere in the 41-46% range to your net disposable. YMMV as it's such a grey area, but that should give you a rough idea anyway.

The actual calculations are much more complicated, but that's the gist of it. Duration is typically .5 - 1 year of marriage, for a longer marriage you use 1 year, if the duration of spousal + the recipient's age is > 65 you may as well call it "lifetime". Court's have moved away from setting an end date on it, and instead lay out "to be reviewed" dates. Any major material change that could not be forseen ahead of time would constitute grounds for review.

Your ex spouse getting remarried is NOT an unforseen change...the ex spouse remarrying a billionaire on the other hand... well, hopefully you get the idea.

Spousal is not automatic, entitlement has to be proven, and the other party should be supporting themselves as well. Time for them to put on the big girl pants and find a job to support themselves if they aren't already. Then their income plays a factor too. I'm not saying "big girl pants" to be sexist, simple fact is the bulk of spousal support recipients tend to be women.

 

[billm]

...
Napkin math...spousal should bring the party in receipt of it, somewhere in the 41-46% range to your net disposable. YMMV as it's such a grey area, but that should give you a rough idea anyway.

spousal should bring the party in receipt of it, somewhere in the 41-46% range to your COMBINED (ie both spouses) net disposable.

(if you're using DivorceMate/SSAG that is).